Geoff Strong
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey Hugh "Geoff" Strong (born 19 September 1937 in Kirkheaton
, Northumberland
, England
) is an English
former football
er.
; he signed for the London
club as an amateur in November 1957 and turned professional the following April. He played mainly in the Gunners youth and reserve sides and his first-team debut was delayed by his National Service
in April 1960; he finally started for the first team against Newcastle United
on 17 September 1960, two days shy of his 23rd birthday; Arsenal won 5-0.
Strong played 19 league games that season, scoring ten goals, and played 20 the following season (1961-62
), before finally becoming an automatic first-choice in 1962-63
. Playing as an inside-forward or centre forward
, Strong formed a lethal attacking partnership with Joe Baker
and he became a regular goalscorer for the club – his record being 31 in the 1963-64
season; Baker and Strong together scored 62 that season.
However, despite Strong and Baker's goalscoring efforts, Arsenal were going through a barren patch; the best league position they achieved during this period being 7th, and they made little impact in the FA Cup. Strong made it clear he wanted to move to a more successful club. Although he was still a regular starter at the start of the 1964-65
season, in November 1964, Arsenal sold him for £40,000 to Liverpool
; in all he had scored 77 goals in 137 matches for the Gunners.
at Craven Cottage
. His first goal came a month later on 5 December in a 5-1 thumping of Burnley
at Turf Moor
.
After just 16 appearances in a red shirt Strong's wish for more success came to fruition, as Liverpool won the FA Cup
for the first time in the club's 73 year history. Strong, who was now used as a utility man, wore the number 4 jersey as the Reds beat Leeds United 2-1 after extra time in the Wembley
final; it was also his first appearance in the competition for Liverpool, as he was deputising for the injured Gordon Milne
. Unfortunately for Strong and the rest of the Anfield
staff the Cup final joy was short-lived, as they lost to Inter Milan 4-3 on aggregate in the semi-final of the European Cup
, having led 3-1 from the first leg Italy
.
Strong went on to play in almost every outfield position over the next six seasons, but he eventually settled in at left back after Gerry Byrne
hung up his boots. Strong was part of the side that won the 1965-66
First Division
championship, beating Leeds United into second by 6 points. He, however, missed the European Cup Winners Cup final, which Liverpool lost 2-1 to Borussia Dortmund
at Hampden Park
, through an injury that he picked up in the semi-final second leg win over Celtic
. Strong had a major influence in the Reds reaching their first ever Europe
an final, as it was he that scored the winner, a towering header, even though he was carrying a leg injury.
Liverpool then went trophyless for a few seasons after the 1966 title win, and following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Second Division
Watford
in the 6th round of the 1969-70
FA Cup, Bill Shankly
decided that changes had to be made; the old guard had to be replaced by a younger generation, Strong was one of the players that was caught up in the cull. After exactly 200 games and 33 goals Strong left Liverpool on 10 August 1970 for Coventry City
.
and the Sky Blues set a club record by conceding only 38 league goals. He retired from playing in 1972.
with former Liverpool great Ian Callaghan
. Strong was a firm favourite amongst the Kopites during his six-year spell at the club and was voted in at No. 98 on the Official Liverpool FC website poll, "100 Players Who Shook The Kop". He now suffers from Alzheimers disease and lives in the seaside resort of Southport
, though he remains a frequent visitor to Anfield on match days. (See Reference)
Kirkheaton
Kirkheaton is a village north east of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England and has a population of 4,209 together with Upper Heaton.- Education :Kirkheaton has a primary school, Kirkheaton Primary School, which is situated on New Road....
, Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
er.
Arsenal
Strong played as an amateur for his local club, Stanley United, before being spotted by ArsenalArsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
; he signed for the London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
club as an amateur in November 1957 and turned professional the following April. He played mainly in the Gunners youth and reserve sides and his first-team debut was delayed by his National Service
National service
National service is a common name for mandatory government service programmes . The term became common British usage during and for some years following the Second World War. Many young people spent one or more years in such programmes...
in April 1960; he finally started for the first team against Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
on 17 September 1960, two days shy of his 23rd birthday; Arsenal won 5-0.
Strong played 19 league games that season, scoring ten goals, and played 20 the following season (1961-62
1961-62 in English football
The 1961–62 season was the 82nd season of competitive Football in England.-Overview:The season was notable for the remarkable achievement of Ipswich Town winning the League Championship. Under the managership of Alf Ramsey, the club progressed from the old Third Division South to the First Division...
), before finally becoming an automatic first-choice in 1962-63
1962-63 in English football
The 1962–63 season was the 83rd season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*Everton won the League Championship, their first post-war title.*Manchester United won the FA Cup, their first major trophy since the Munich Air Disaster in 1958....
. Playing as an inside-forward or centre forward
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
, Strong formed a lethal attacking partnership with Joe Baker
Joe Baker
Joseph Henry "Joe" Baker was an England international footballer. Born in Liverpool, England, he spent virtually his entire childhood growing up in Motherwell, Scotland...
and he became a regular goalscorer for the club – his record being 31 in the 1963-64
1963-64 in English football
The 1963–1964 season was the 84th season of competitive football in England, from August 1963 to May 1964:-Overview:* Liverpool won the League Championship.* West Ham United won the FA Cup.* Leicester City won the League Cup.-Diary of the season:...
season; Baker and Strong together scored 62 that season.
However, despite Strong and Baker's goalscoring efforts, Arsenal were going through a barren patch; the best league position they achieved during this period being 7th, and they made little impact in the FA Cup. Strong made it clear he wanted to move to a more successful club. Although he was still a regular starter at the start of the 1964-65
1964-65 in English football
The 1964–65 season was the 85th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* After a three-way tussle for the League title between Manchester United, Leeds United and Chelsea, Manchester United came out on top and were crowned champions....
season, in November 1964, Arsenal sold him for £40,000 to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
; in all he had scored 77 goals in 137 matches for the Gunners.
Liverpool
Strong was thrown straight into the Liverpool side and made his debut on 7 November 1964, in a 1-1 league draw with FulhamFulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
at Craven Cottage
Craven Cottage
Craven Cottage is the name of a football stadium in the Hammersmith and Fulham area that has been the home ground of the association football team Fulham F.C. since 1896....
. His first goal came a month later on 5 December in a 5-1 thumping of Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
at Turf Moor
Turf Moor
Turf Moor is a football stadium in Burnley, Lancashire. It is the home ground of Burnley Football Club, which has played there since moving from its Calder Vale ground in 1883. The stadium, which is situated on Harry Potts Way, named so after the club's longest serving Manager, has a capacity of...
.
After just 16 appearances in a red shirt Strong's wish for more success came to fruition, as Liverpool won the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
for the first time in the club's 73 year history. Strong, who was now used as a utility man, wore the number 4 jersey as the Reds beat Leeds United 2-1 after extra time in the Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
final; it was also his first appearance in the competition for Liverpool, as he was deputising for the injured Gordon Milne
Gordon Milne
Gordon Milne is an English former footballer and football manager.-Personal life:Gordon Milne, was born in Preston, Lancashire, England and is the son of the former Preston player Jimmy Milne, and son to Jesse Milne...
. Unfortunately for Strong and the rest of the Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
staff the Cup final joy was short-lived, as they lost to Inter Milan 4-3 on aggregate in the semi-final of the European Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
, having led 3-1 from the first leg Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
.
Strong went on to play in almost every outfield position over the next six seasons, but he eventually settled in at left back after Gerry Byrne
Gerry Byrne (footballer)
Gerald 'Gerry' Byrne is an English former footballer who spent his entire playing career at Liverpool Football Club.-Life and playing career:...
hung up his boots. Strong was part of the side that won the 1965-66
1965-66 in English football
The 1965–66 season was the 86th season of competitive football in England.-Diary of the season:7 October 1965: An experiment to broadcast a live game to another ground takes place...
First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
championship, beating Leeds United into second by 6 points. He, however, missed the European Cup Winners Cup final, which Liverpool lost 2-1 to Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
at Hampden Park
Hampden Park
Hampden Park is a football stadium in the Mount Florida area of Glasgow, Scotland. The 52,063 capacity venue serves as the national stadium of football in Scotland...
, through an injury that he picked up in the semi-final second leg win over Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
. Strong had a major influence in the Reds reaching their first ever Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an final, as it was he that scored the winner, a towering header, even though he was carrying a leg injury.
Liverpool then went trophyless for a few seasons after the 1966 title win, and following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
in the 6th round of the 1969-70
1969-70 in English football
The 1969–70 season was the 90th season of competitive football in England.-First Division:Everton won their seventh title, finishing nine points clear of Leeds United with Chelsea in third and newly promoted Derby County in fourth...
FA Cup, Bill Shankly
Bill Shankly
William "Bill" Shankly, OBE was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Liverpool between 1959 and 1974. One of Britain's most successful and respected football managers, Shankly was also a fine player whose career was interrupted by the Second World War...
decided that changes had to be made; the old guard had to be replaced by a younger generation, Strong was one of the players that was caught up in the cull. After exactly 200 games and 33 goals Strong left Liverpool on 10 August 1970 for Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
.
Coventry City
He spent a single season at Highfield Road and his experience was helpful in Noel Cantwell's young team. He formed an excellent partnership with a young Jeff BlockleyJeff Blockley
Jeffrey Paul "Jeff" Blockley is an English former footballer who played as a defender. He made over 300 Football League appearances, and was capped by the England national football team....
and the Sky Blues set a club record by conceding only 38 league goals. He retired from playing in 1972.
Retirement
After retiring, he left the game completely, and for a while ran his own hotel furnishing business; he also co-owned a pubPublic house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
with former Liverpool great Ian Callaghan
Ian Callaghan
Ian Robert Callaghan MBE is a former Liverpool footballer who holds the record for most appearances for the club.-Life and playing career:...
. Strong was a firm favourite amongst the Kopites during his six-year spell at the club and was voted in at No. 98 on the Official Liverpool FC website poll, "100 Players Who Shook The Kop". He now suffers from Alzheimers disease and lives in the seaside resort of Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
, though he remains a frequent visitor to Anfield on match days. (See Reference)
Honours
Liverpool- First Division Championship winners medal (1965–66)
- FA Cup winners medal (1964–65)
- Two Charity Shield winners medals (1965 (shared) and 1966)
- First Division Championship runners-up medal (1968–69)